Julio Franco, 55, proves it’s never too late for baseball comeback

Julio Franco is giving middle-aged men everywhere hope.

The 55-year-old former Met is making a comeback, stepping back into the batter’s box for his fifth decade of organized baseball. The Fort Worth Cats of the independent United League are bringing in Franco for their opening homestand as a hybrid player/coach, starting with Opening Day on Tuesday.

The Cats talked with Franco about making this happen last summer, but he had a knee issue that would have hampered his ability to hit. After arthroscopic surgery, he’s ready to give it another try.

Franco made his professional debut in 1978 with the Butte Copper Kings of the rookie Pioneer League and played his most recent professional game in the Mexican League in 2008, when he hit .250 as a 49-year-old. He has more than 4,200 hits in organized ball.

“Everybody loved watching him play,” Fort Worth manager Mike Marshall said. “He had a real charisma on the field and off the field. We’re excited, and as far as my young guys — I have a lot of young professionals here, affiliated guys — being able to learn and watch him handle himself on the field and off the field, I think it’ll be a real bonus for our organization.”

Franco isn’t the only former star looking to make yet another comeback. Miguel Tejada signed a minor league deal with the Marlins this weekend and will report to the club’s spring training headquarters in Jupiter, Fla., according to ESPNDeportes.

The 39-year-old Tejada is in the midst of serving a 105-game suspension imposed last season. Tejada was suspended after testing positive for an amphetamine in violation of MLB’s drug program.

Tejada, a six-time All-Star, previously tested positive under the league’s amphetamine policy, so he was subject to a 25-game ban for a second failed test and an 80-game suspension for a third, both of which occurred while playing for the Royals last season. Tejada reportedly will be eligible to return to the major leagues after May 31.